Completing the Program

Under the law, a qualifying premarital education program shall include at least six hours of instruction involving marital issues, which may include but not be limited to conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, child and parenting responsibilities, and extended family roles. The program must have been completed within the 12 months prior to the application, and the couple must have undergone the premarital education together. To qualify, the premarital education must have been performed by a professional counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist; a psychiatrist; a psychologist; or an active member of the clergy when in the course of his or her service as clergy, or the designee of such active member of the clergy, provided the designee is skilled and trained in premarital education.

In order to qualify for the reduced fee, the couple must provide the court a signed and dated certificate of completion of a qualifying premarital education program. A Certificate of Completion of Qualifying Premarital Education can be picked up at the Probate Court or downloaded here.